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Theres a really good video online of a motorcycle yt channel evaluating a bunch of waterproof membranes.
Goretex is the standard for a reason. Water can seep through stitching and stitching isnt always the best either though. I have seen the worst results with boots as water sits between goretex and leather and it rots or the design isnt well tested and seeps through
Also some barriers breathe better than goretex.
It is always worth looking at for lighter rains, waxed, polycotton, or both. Polycotton like the british cs95 is a tight barrier that repels most water and dries quickly. If waxed I would trust it in everything but daylong downpours of heavy rainfall.
You need to take into account that at some point, everything gets wet from the inside (sweat) or out and its how you manage in between. So many buy puffies and ultra water shells that are expensive, not durable, and they end up raining inside the material.
Its not just about ultimate survival, but comfort as well. Thats why people wear hoodies, or 100% cotton heavyweight sweater that is bad for inclement weather, but is comfy. You can always bring a packa poncho, or a bloody garbage bag for the times it gets too bad and it weighs nothing.
